Copy paper feeder

ABSTRACT

Copy paper feeder for delivering from at least one roll of paper one or more selected lengths of paper utilizing a solenoid controlled gearing arrangement.

United States Patent Namba Aug. 26, 1975 [54] COPY PAPER FEEDER1,019,454 3/1912 Goodspeed 74 359 2,962,282 11/1960 Bergland 226/135[75] Inventor: Yshlharu Namba Tokyo Japan 3,076,586 2/1963 Doyle et a1.226/136 73 Assigneez Fuji Xerox C Ltd. Tokyo Japan 3,170,614 2/1965Faust 1 1 226/134 3,229,880 1/1966 Arp 226/136 [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 19733,412,913 11/1968 Palter 226/135 3,506,175 4/1970 Turner 226/135 [21]APPL 422,855 3,517,872 6/1970 Chmela 226/156 3,761,000 9/1973 Hagstrom226/152 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec 27 1972 la an47429858 Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk p Assistant ExaminerRichard K.Thomson [52] U S Cl 226/135 226/l56 Attorney, Agent, or FirmGera1d J.Ferguson, Jr.;

51 Int. Cl B6511 17/22 JSePh Bake [58] Field of Search 226/134, 135,136, 140,

226/152, 156; 74/359 [57] ABSTRACT Copy paper feeder for delivering fromat least one roll [56] References Cited of paper one or more selectedlengths of paper utiliz- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing a solenoid controlledgearing arrangement. 743,067 11/1903 Evans 74/359 7 Claims, 1 DrawingFigure COPY PAPER FEEDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to a paper feeder, and moreparticularly to a paper feeder which delivers selected lengths of copypaper from a roll.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art Generally, in order to obtain copy papersheets of a certain size, for example 134 size (364 mm X 257 mm), from aroll of copy paper, it is necessary to cut a 364 mm wide paper strip orweb into sheets of 257 mm length each. To obtain copy sheets of adesired size from a roll of paper strip or web, there has generally beenused a method in which each passage of a given length of the paper isdetected by a microswitch provided on the paper pathway. Although thismethod has an advantage in permitting easy setting of the length ofpaper to be fed, it is often difficult to obtain sheets of a fixedlength if the thickness and other conditions of paper vary, or if otherfactors occur such as variation of the actuating angle of themicroswitch. Consequently, there is a tendency in prior art paperfeeders for the cut sheets to be non-uniform in length and forcumulative error to be introduced in the sheet lengths.

Further, the microswitch of prior art paper feeders is delicate and notvery resistant to rough treatment. Hence, it is quite susceptible todamage when removing the paper sheets jammed in the machine or in otheroccasions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above-saidproblems, and is intended to provide an improved copy paper feeder whichis capable of consistently delivering copy paper of a correct lengthwithout producing cumulative error, and which is structurally strong,and which is capable further of delivering paper sheets of two differentlengths or combined lengths thereof, and which also permits easyselection of the length or lengths of paper to be delivered.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent uponreading the appended claims in conjunction with the following detaileddescription and the attached drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The sole FIGURE of the drawing is aperspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENET In the drawing, spring clutches 1and 2 are shown. The input shaft 3 of spring clutch 1 is connected to apower source (not shown) of a copy machine or the like. Mounted on inputshaft 3 is an input gear Z, which engages another input gear Z mountedon the input shaft 4 of spring clutch 2 so that input shaft 4 of springclutch 2 is rotated with rotation of input shaft 3. However, springclutches 1 and 2 do not transmit rotation to their respective outputshafts 7 and 8 unless solenoids and 6, respectively connected thereto,are excited.

Solenoids 5 and 6 are excited by electrical pulses and when they areexcited, their respective magnet bars 9 and 10 are withdrawn into therespective cores of the solenoids 5 and 6, whereupon interposers 11 and12 re spectivcly connected to bars 9 and 10 are withdrawn from lobes 13and 14 respectively provided on spring clutches 1 and 2.

Neither of the lobes 13 and 14 has any hitch or catch on its back side,as is apparent from the depiction of lobe 14 in the drawing, so thatwith one excitation of solenoid 5 (or 6), the spring clutches 1 (or 2)turns 360 until it is stopped by the released interposers 11 (or 12). Inother words, the spring clutches 1 and 2 can transmit rotation to theirrespective output shafts 7 and 8 only when interposers l1 and 12 are notholding lobes 13 and 14, respectively. The rotating force transmitted tooutput shafts 7 and 8 is further respectively transmitted through onewayclutches 15 and 16 to output gears Z and 2,, which are provided on theoutput side of clutches 15 and 16 and which engage each other. Clutchesl5 and 16 permit output gears Z and Z to be rotated even when outputshafts 7 or 8 are stationary.

Extending from output shaft Z is a shaft 17 which carries at its otherend a gear Z which engages a gear Z mounted at an end ofa shaft 18. Alsomounted along the shaft 18 are paper feed rollers 19 arranged to feedthe rolled paper 20 a predetermined distance or length upon rotation ofrollers 19.

In operation, when it is desired to obtain for example B4 size (364 mm X257 mm) copy sheets, a 364 mm wide roll of paper is placed in positionand then solenoid 5 is excited by an electrical pulse whereupon springclutch 1 is turned 360 as described above, followed by a corresponding360 turn of output shaft 7, output gear Z shaft 17 and gear Z The amountof rotation, that is, the turn angle (which usually is more than 360) ofgear Z and hence shaft 18 and feed rollers 19 varies depending on thenumber of teeth of gears Z and Z but the length of paper 20 delivered byfeed rollers 19 is determined by multiplying the circumference of eachfeed roller 19 by its turn angle. Therefore, if the diameter of eachfeed roller and the number of teeth of gears Z and Z, are so selectedthat the result of multiplying the circumference of each feed roller 19by its turn angle is 257 mm, that is, the result is such that 257 mm ofpaper are delivered with one full or a 360 turn of gear Z it is possibleto obtain desired B4 size sheets.

When it is desired to obtain A4 or 297 X 210 mm size sheets, a 297 mmwide roll of paper is placed in position and then solenoid 6 is excitedby an electrical pulse. When solenoid 6 is excited, output shaft 8 ofspring clutch 2 isturned 360 and transmits rotation from input gears Zand Z; to gear Z (which is also turned 360) through one-way clutch 16.Output gear Z is thus turned 360 N /N where N and N, are the numbers ofteeth of output gears Z and Z respectively.

The ratio of the shorter side width of the A4 sheet to that of the B4sheet is 210 mm 257 mm, that is, 9 l 1.01, which may practically begiven as 9 l 1. Therefore, if N 1 N is set at 9 1 l, the output gear Zwill turn 360 X 9/11 for every 360 turn of the output gear Z As statedhereinbefore, the diameter of feed rollers 19 and the number of teeth ofgears Z and Z are so selected that when the output gear Z turns 360, thefeed rollers 19 will deliver a 257 mm length of paper, which is theshorter side length of a B4 sheet. Thus, if output gear 2;, is turned360 X 9/11, the feed rollers 19 deliver a 210 mm length of paper, whichis the shorter side length of an A4 sheet.

In this way, according to the paper feeder of the present invention, itis possible to feed either B4 sheets or A4 sheets, as desired, byswitching excitation of the solenoids and 6. It is also to be noted thatthe ratio of teeth number N of input gear Z; of spring clutch l to theteeth number N of input gear Z of spring clutch 2 is equal to the ratioof teeth number N;, of output gear Z, of clutch l to teeth number N, ofoutput gear Z of clutch 2that is,

But as stated above Thus, if formula (2) is substituted into the formulathere results:

Thus, the angular velocity of the output gear Z is equal to that of theinput gear 2,.

On the other hand, when feeding B4 sheets, solenoid 5 is excited toactuate spring clutch l as described above, so the angular velocity ofoutput gear Z becomes equal to the angular velocity w ofinput gear ZThus, if the gear ratio of the respective engaged gears is set tosatisfy the relation of the angular velocity of shaft 17 is constant nomatter which type of sheets, either A4 or B4, is fed. Further, the paperdelivery speed of feed rollers 19 is constant regardless of whether A4or B4 sheets are fed.

Also, delivery of copy paper not only A4 or B4 size but also A5 or B5size (or any other size) is possible by suitably selecting the diametersof gears Z and Z and feed rollers 19. It is also possible to alternatelydeliver the respective lengths for A5 sheets and A4 sheets (which arethe same width but different lengths) by successively alternatelyactuating the solenoids 5 and 6.

Still further, although there has been described hereinbefore amechanism in which copy paper is delivered by feed rollers at a constantspeed, it will be easily understood that various delivery speeds can beobtained by suitably selecting the number of teeth of gears Z Z Z and ZFor example, if input gears Z and Z have the same number of teeth andthe gear ratio of output gears Z and Z is equal to the ratio of paperlengths delivered from the paper roll, it is possible to deliver twodifferent lengths of paper in the same period of time.

As described in detail above, the copy paper feeder according to thepresent invention comprises a pair of spring clutches l and 2, engagedinput gears Z and Z respectively mounted on spring clutches l and 2,engaged output gears Z and Z respectively mounted on output shafts 7 and8 of the spring clutches 1 and 2, interposers 11 and 12 normally engagedwith the lobes l3 and 14 of spring clutches 1 and 2, but respectivelyreleasing engagement with the lobes upon receiving a pertinent signal,and paper feed rollers 19 connected to one of said output gears Z or Zwherein the gear ratio of said respective engaged gears is so selectedthat the amount of rotation of the feed rollers will vary depending onwhich one of said interposers 11 or 12 has released its associated lobe.Therefore, it is possible to feed sheets of two different unit lengthsor the combined length thereof. For instance, the B4 sheets may be fedby placing in position a B4 type roll of paper and releasing the lobe 13from interposer 11 or A4 sheets may be fed by placing in position a rollof A4 type paper and releasing the lobe 14 from the interposer 12.Selection of the paper length can be accomplished with ease, and sincethe paper length is determined by the rotational angle of spring clutchl or 2, the rotational angle is always correct and constant and thus,the paper length can always be maintained constant and hence all of theobtained copy sheets are uniform in size, with no possibility ofproducing any .cumulative error. Further, since no easy-to-breakmicroswitch is used, the entire mechanism of the apparatus isstructurally strong.

Numerous modifications of the invention will become apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing disclosure. Duringsuch a reading it will be evident that this invention provides uniquecopy paper feeder for accomplishing the objects and advantageshereinstated.

What is claimed is:

1. A copy paper feeder in a copying machine or the like for feedingeither one of only two selected lengths of paper from a roll of saidcopy paper, said feeder comprising:

roller means for delivering paper from said roll, said roller meansbeing mounted on a roller shaft so that the length of paper delivered bysaid roller means is a function of the turn angle that said roller shaftis rotated through;

a drive shaft;

means for rotating said drive shaft;

first rotation providing means in response to a first control signal forproviding over a first path a first predetermined amount of rotationfrom said drive shaft to said roller shaft to deliver a first selectedlength of paper from said roll, said first rotation providing meansincluding first clutch means for connecting said drive shaft to a rollershaft in re sponse to said first control signal, and first disconnectingmeans for causing said first clutch means to disconnect said drive shaftfrom said roller shaft, after said first amount of rotation has beenprovided to said roller shaft, said first disconnecting ler shaft aftersaid first amount of rotation has been provided to said roller shaft. 3.A copy paper feeder as in claim 2 where said first disconnecting meanscomprises means including a first lobe having notching means 5 a firstlobe having notching means provided about provided about said firstclutch means and a first said first clutch means solenoid means having afirst elongated interposer a first solenoid means having a firstelongated interfor normally engaging said notching means to preposer fornormally engaging said notching menas to vent rotation of said firstclutch means and thereby prevent rotation of said first clutch means anddisconnect said drive shaft from said roller shaft, 10 therebydisconnect said drive shaft from said roller said first solenoid meansbeing responsive to said shaft, said first solenoid menas beingresponsive to first control signal for temporarily disengaging said saidfirst control signal for temporarily disengaging first elongatedinterposer from said notching means said first elongated interposer fromsaid notching to permit said first clutch means to rotate through meansto permit said first clutch means to rotate said first predeterminedamount of rotation until through a third predetermined amount ofrotation said notching means is again engaged by said first until saidnotching means is again engaged by said interposer so that said firstamount of rotation may first interposer so that said first amount ofrotation be transmitted from said drive shaft to said roller may betransmitted from said drive shaft to said rolshaft; and ler shaft.

second rotation providing means in response to a sec- 4. A copy paperfeeder as in claim 3 where said first ond control signal for providingover a second path a second predetermined amount of rotation from saiddrive shaft tosaid roller shaft to deliver a second selected length ofpaper from said roll, said second rotation providing means including afirst gear connected to said drive shaft, a second gear mounted on afirst auxiliary shaft, said first and second gears engaging one another,a third gear mounted on a second auxiliary shaft, a fourth gear mountedon a third auxiliary shaft, said third and fourth gears engaging oneanother, the ratio of the number of teeth of said fourth and third gearsrespectively being substantially the same as the ratio of said firstselected length of paper to said second selected length of paper, secondclutch means for connecting said first and second auxiliary shafts inresponse to said second control signal, and second disconnecting meansfor causing said second clutch means to disconnect said first auxiliaryshaft from said second auxiliary shaft after said second amount ofrotation has been provided to said roller shaft, said seconddisconnecting means including a second lobe having second notching meansprovided about said second clutch means and a second amount of rotationequals said third amount of rotation.

5. A copy paper feeder as in claim 2 where said second roation providingmeans includes a first gear connected to said drive shaft;

a second gear mounted on a first auxiliary shaft, said first and secondgears engaging one another;

a third gear mounted on a second auxiliary shaft;

a fourth gear mounted on a third auxiliary shaft, said third and fourthgears engaging one another, the ratio of the number of teeth of saidfourth and third gears respectively being substantially the same as gearmounted on said third auxiliary shaft and a sixth gear mounted on saidroller shaft, said fifth and sixth gears engaging one another.

7. A copy paper feeder as in claim 5 where said second disconnectingmeans comprises solenoid means having a second elongated interposer fornormally engaging said second notching means to prevent rotation of saidsecond clutch means and thereby disconnect said first auxiliary shaftfrom said second auxiliary shaft, said second solenoid means beingresponsive to said second control signal for temporarily disengagingsaid second elongated interposer from said second notching means topermit said second clutch means to rotate through a fourth predeterminedamount of rotation until said second notching means is again engaged bysaid second interposer so that said second amount of rotation may betransmitted from said drive shaft to said roller shaft.

2. A copy paper feeder as in claim 1 where said first rotation providingmeans includes first clutch means for connecting said drive shaft to aroller shaft in response to said first control signal; and

first disconnecting means for causing said first clutch means todisconnect said drive shaft from said rola second lobe having secondnotching means provided about said second clutch means a second solenoidmeans having a second elongated interposer for normally engaging saidsecond notching means to prevent rotation of said second clutch meansand thereby disconnect said first auxiliary shaft from said secondauxiliary shaft, said second solenoid means being responsive to saidsecond control signal for temporarily disengaging said second elongatedinterposer from said second notching means to permit said second clutchmeans to rotate through a fourth predetermined amount of rotation untilsaid second notching means is again engaged by said second interposer sothat said second amount of rotation may be transmitted from said driveshaft to said roller shaft.

1. A copy paper feeder in a copying machine or the like for feedingeither one of only two selected lengths of paper from a roll of saidcopy paper, said feeder comprising: roller means for delivering paperfrom said roll, said roller means being mounted on a roller shaft sothat the length of paper delivered by said roller means is a function ofthe turn angle that said roller shaft is rotated through; a drive shaft;means for rotating said drive shaft; first rotation providing means inresponse to a first control signal for providing over a first path afirst predetermined amount of rotation from said drive shaft to saidroller shaft to deliver a first selected length of paper from said roll,said first rotation providing means including first clutch means forconnecting said drive shaft to a roller shaft in response to said firstcontrol signal, and first disconnecting means for causing said firstclutch means to disconnect said drive shaft from said roller shaft,after said first amount of rotation has been provided to said rollershaft, said first disconnecting means including a first lobe havingnotching means provided about said first clutch means and a firstsolenoid means having a first elongated interposer for normally engagingsaid notching means to prevent rotation of said first clutch means andthereby disconnect said drive shaft from said roller shaft, said firstsolenoid means being responsive to said first control signal fortemporarily disengaging said first elongated interposer from saidnotching means to permit said first clutch means to rotate through saidfirst predetermined amount of rotation until said notching means isagain engaged by said first interposer so that said first amount ofrotation may be transmitted from said drive shaft to said roller shaft;and second rotation providing means in response to a second controlsignal for providing over a second path a second predetermined amount ofrotation from said drive shaft to said roller shaft to deliver a secondselected length of paper from said roll, said second rotation providingmEans including a first gear connected to said drive shaft, a secondgear mounted on a first auxiliary shaft, said first and second gearsengaging one another, a third gear mounted on a second auxiliary shaft,a fourth gear mounted on a third auxiliary shaft, said third and fourthgears engaging one another, the ratio of the number of teeth of saidfourth and third gears respectively being substantially the same as theratio of said first selected length of paper to said second selectedlength of paper, second clutch means for connecting said first andsecond auxiliary shafts in response to said second control signal, andsecond disconnecting means for causing said second clutch means todisconnect said first auxiliary shaft from said second auxiliary shaftafter said second amount of rotation has been provided to said rollershaft, said second disconnecting means including a second lobe havingsecond notching means provided about said second clutch means and asecond solenoid means having a second elongated interposer for normallyengaging said second notching means to prevent rotation of said secondclutch means and thereby disconnect said first auxiliary shaft from saidsecond auxiliary shaft, said second solenoid means being responsive tosaid second control signal for temporarily disengaging said secondelongated interposer from said second notching means to permit saidsecond clutch means to rotate through a fourth predetermined amount ofrotation until said second notching means is again engaged by saidsecond interposer so that said second amount of rotation may betransmitted from said drive shaft to said roller shaft.
 2. A copy paperfeeder as in claim 1 where said first rotation providing means includesfirst clutch means for connecting said drive shaft to a roller shaft inresponse to said first control signal; and first disconnecting means forcausing said first clutch means to disconnect said drive shaft from saidroller shaft after said first amount of rotation has been provided tosaid roller shaft.
 3. A copy paper feeder as in claim 2 where said firstdisconnecting means comprises a first lobe having notching meansprovided about said first clutch means a first solenoid means having afirst elongated interposer for normally engaging said notching menas toprevent rotation of said first clutch means and thereby disconnect saiddrive shaft from said roller shaft, said first solenoid menas beingresponsive to said first control signal for temporarily disengaging saidfirst elongated interposer from said notching means to permit said firstclutch means to rotate through a third predetermined amount of rotationuntil said notching means is again engaged by said first interposer sothat said first amount of rotation may be transmitted from said driveshaft to said roller shaft.
 4. A copy paper feeder as in claim 3 wheresaid first amount of rotation equals said third amount of rotation.
 5. Acopy paper feeder as in claim 2 where said second roation providingmeans includes a first gear connected to said drive shaft; a second gearmounted on a first auxiliary shaft, said first and second gears engagingone another; a third gear mounted on a second auxiliary shaft; a fourthgear mounted on a third auxiliary shaft, said third and fourth gearsengaging one another, the ratio of the number of teeth of said fourthand third gears respectively being substantially the same as the ratioof said first selected length of paper to said second selected length ofpaper; second clutch means for connecting said first and secondauxiliary shafts in response to said second control signal; and seconddisconnecting means for causing said second clutch means to disconnectsaid first auxiliary shaft from said second auxiliary shaft after saidsecond amount of rotation has been provided to said roller shaft.
 6. Acopy paper feeder as in claim 5 including a fifth gear mounted on saidthird auxiliary shaft and a sixth Gear mounted on said roller shaft,said fifth and sixth gears engaging one another.
 7. A copy paper feederas in claim 5 where said second disconnecting means comprises a secondlobe having second notching means provided about said second clutchmeans a second solenoid means having a second elongated interposer fornormally engaging said second notching means to prevent rotation of saidsecond clutch means and thereby disconnect said first auxiliary shaftfrom said second auxiliary shaft, said second solenoid means beingresponsive to said second control signal for temporarily disengagingsaid second elongated interposer from said second notching means topermit said second clutch means to rotate through a fourth predeterminedamount of rotation until said second notching means is again engaged bysaid second interposer so that said second amount of rotation may betransmitted from said drive shaft to said roller shaft.